If there is a West Coast blues harp style, then George Smith is clearly it's Father. In addition, Smith was one of the most compelling blues singers of his generation. When he leaned back and started blowin'the blues, Smith created some of the most exciting music in blues history. His hard-drive, metallic-edged diatonic harmonic playing, with it's frequent use of tongue-blocked octaves and a pulsing vibrato that seemed to emanate from the pit of his stomach, offered up a new sound that would influence legions of young players. This classic release combines rare sides from two 'sixties sessions with a great set of recordings with Rod Piazza's band from 1982. Blowing the Blues, Yes Baby, Tight Dress, Times Won't Be Hard Always, Good Things, Goin' Down Slow, Last Chance, Boogie'n with George, Bad Start, Astatic Stomp, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Sunbird, Chicago City, Peg O' My Heart
